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Maradona's nude pledge

ARGENTINA: Diego Maradona has promised to run naked through the centre of Buenos Aires if Argentina wins the World Cup. The Argentina coach made the promise during a radio show a day after Argentina defeated Canada 5-0 in its final warm-up match before the World Cup. ''If we win the World Cup, I'll get naked and run around the Obelisk,'' he said.

Van Persie performs

NETHERLANDS: Robin van Persie scored a brace as an under-strength Netherlands beat Mexico 2-1 in a warm-up match on Wednesday. Javier Hernandez pulled back a goal after the break, but Mexico could not force an equaliser. Playing his first match for the Netherlands since a serious ankle injury against Italy in November, van Persie was a constant threat in the first half along with PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ibrahim Afellay. ''At times, we played beautifully tonight,'' van Persie said. Mexico has two more friendlies, against Gambia and Italy. The Netherlands plays Ghana and Hungary.

Bank on Brazil

BRAZIL: Brazil's banks will close when the national team is playing games in the World Cup in South Africa, the Central Bank said on Wednesday. The measure is not only to allow football-mad bank staff to catch the live broadcasts, but also ''to avoid security lapses'' in the banks and armoured cash transport.

Mueller takes tumble

GERMANY: Thomas Mueller has been cut on the chin and scraped his knee after falling off a mountain bike during Germany's training camp in northern Italy. The German football federation says Mueller, a Bayern Munich forward, needed stitches on his chin but his bones and muscles are fine.

Matildas qualify

WOMEN'S WORLD CUP: The Matildas will play in next year's women's World Cup after a battling 1-0 Asian Cup semi-final win over Japan in China yesterday. Australia secured its spot in Sunday's final and the 2011 World Cup in Germany thanks to striker Kathryn Gill's cool finish just before half-time when Japan's goalkeeper Kaihori Ayumi made a hash of claiming a cross. The ball found its way to Gill who calmly slotted it into the net. Australia plays North Korea or China in the Asian Cup final.